1/22/14

Ten Days – 20 Venues – 60 Concerts – 2 Charities – 12,000 People

The thirteenth annual Bud Light Ferndale Blues & Music Festival, which features five-dozen concerts and events, will kickoff Friday, January 24, 2014. The festival spans ten days through February 2 at more than 20 venues, including restaurants, clubs, bars, stores, the public library and other locations.

“The days are short and the nights are long, dark, and cold,” says festival Co-Chair and Co-founder Craig Covey. “We can’t think of a better excuse to get out of the house, listen to great live music, and to enjoy friends. And it’s all to support two great local organizations.”

The winter music festival will benefit two local charities – the Michigan AIDS Coalition and Ferndale Youth Assistance. Volunteers will help raise money through donations collected at the door of each concert. Blue piggy banks – which have become festival icons – are also used as collection jars throughout the festival. Most concerts are free of charge and all are open to the general public.

Music offerings at the Bud Light Ferndale Blues & Music Festival are not limited to blues, but also include jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, club, dance, big band, 70’s, 80’s, disco, house and electronic music.

Barbeque lovers will enjoy the seventh annual Blues Barbeque & Ribs Burn-Out, which will take place from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, February 1 in the City Library Parking Lot. Organized as an event within BluesFest, this tasty experience features eight local businesses and chefs who complete to win the award for best ribs in town. Judges include Detroit Red Wings alumni, and local elected officials and business owners.

The thirteenth annual Bud Light Ferndale Blues & Music Festival also includes family-friendly concerts and venues. The Ferndale Public Library, Treat Dreams, and Easy Like Sundae will showcase music and events fit for a short attention span.

“BluesFest is one of our most important fundraisers each year for youth HIV/AIDS prevention programs,” says Dan Martin, MAC Board President and Ferndale Mayor Pro-Tem. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase our downtown businesses,” he added.